Overview
Laureano Sanabria Ruiz, widely known as Laure, is a Spanish professional footballer born on 22 March 1985, in Madrid. Standing at 1.66 meters, Laure has primarily operated as a right-back throughout his career, a position where his defensive acumen and consistent work rate have been key attributes. His career is most notably associated with Deportivo La Coruña, where he spent a significant portion of his professional playing days, becoming a familiar face to fans of Spanish football.
Position
As a defender, Laure has predominantly played as a right-back. This role demands a balance of defensive responsibility and offensive support, requiring strong tackling, positional awareness, and the ability to contribute to attacks on the flank. His consistent presence in this position for over a decade in professional football underscores his reliability and understanding of the role's demands. While primarily a right-back, his versatility has occasionally seen him deployed in other defensive roles, though less frequently.
Identity
Laure's identity as a footballer is built around his defensive solidity and unwavering commitment. He is often described as a traditional full-back, prioritizing defensive duties, astute positioning, and diligent tracking back. His career has been characterized by professionalism and a strong work ethic, making him a valued member of any squad he has represented. He is not typically known for flamboyant attacking play but rather for his consistent performance in containing opposition wingers and providing a stable defensive base.
Career path
Laure's football journey began in the youth ranks of Real Madrid, a common starting point for many talents in the Spanish capital. After progressing through their academy system, he moved to Leganés B in 2004, marking a crucial step towards senior football. His senior debut arrived with CD Leganés in the 2005-2006 season, where he began to establish himself as a professional player.
CD Leganés (2005-2006)
Following his time in the youth setup, Laure joined CD Leganés. He made his senior debut for the club in the Segunda División B, gaining valuable experience in competitive senior football. This period allowed him to adapt to the physical and tactical demands of professional play, laying the groundwork for his subsequent career moves.
Deportivo B & Deportivo La Coruña (2007-2017)
In 2007, Laure made a significant move to Deportivo La Coruña, initially joining their B team. His performances quickly caught the eye, leading to his promotion to the first team. He made his debut for Deportivo La Coruña in the 2007-2008 season. Over the next decade, Laure became an integral part of Deportivo, experiencing both promotions and relegations with the Galician club. He was a consistent starter at right-back, known for his reliability and leadership on the pitch. His tenure at Deportivo spanned ten seasons, from 2007 to 2017, making him one of the club's longest-serving players during that period. During his time, he accumulated over 200 appearances for the club across all competitions, including La Liga and the Copa del Rey [Transfermarkt].
Alcorcón (2017-2020)
After a decade at Deportivo, Laure moved to AD Alcorcón in 2017. He continued to be a regular starter in the Segunda División, showcasing his enduring quality and experience. His three seasons with Alcorcón further solidified his reputation as a dependable defender in the Spanish second tier [Wikipedia].
UD Logroñés (2020-2021)
In 2020, Laure joined UD Logroñés, contributing his experience to the club's efforts in the Segunda División. He remained a key figure in the defense, demonstrating his consistent performance levels even in the latter stages of his career.
Racing de Ferrol (2021-Present)
Since 2021, Laure has been with Racing de Ferrol, continuing his professional career in the Primera Federación. His move to Ferrol highlights his continued passion for the game and his ability to contribute at a high level, bringing valuable experience to the squad.
Playing style
Laure's playing style is defined by his defensive discipline, tactical intelligence, and consistent effort. As a right-back, his primary focus has always been to nullify opposition threats on his flank, a task he performs with considerable effectiveness.
Defensive Attributes
Laure excels in one-on-one defending, possessing strong tackling ability and good anticipation. He is known for his positional awareness, rarely being caught out of position and effectively tracking opposition wingers. His defensive work rate is high, consistently contributing to pressing schemes and recovering defensively. While not the tallest, his understanding of defensive spacing allows him to compete effectively for aerial duels in his zone. Metrics from platforms like Sofascore often highlight his high number of successful tackles and interceptions per game, underscoring his defensive impact [Sofascore].
Distribution and Offensive Contribution
While primarily a defensive full-back, Laure is also capable in possession. His passing is generally accurate and reliable, focusing on retaining possession and initiating attacks from the back. He possesses a decent crossing ability, though his offensive forays are typically measured and strategic rather than frequent. He prioritizes maintaining defensive shape over speculative attacking runs, ensuring his flank remains secure. His decision-making in possession is pragmatic, opting for safe passes to midfielders or wingers rather than attempting overly ambitious plays.
Comparison
In terms of playing style, Laure can be compared to full-backs who prioritize defensive solidity and tactical discipline, such as Juanfran Torres during his Atlético Madrid years, albeit with less emphasis on attacking overlap. He embodies the traditional full-back role, providing a reliable and stable presence on the right side of defense, a quality highly valued by coaches for its contribution to team balance and structure.
Achievements & honours
Laure's career has been marked by significant contributions to his clubs, particularly during his long spell at Deportivo La Coruña, where he experienced both the highs of promotion and the challenges of top-flight football.
Club Honours
His most notable club achievement came with Deportivo La Coruña, where he played a crucial role in their return to La Liga. Laure was a key figure in the squad that achieved promotion from the Segunda División to La Liga on two occasions, demonstrating his enduring value to the team.
| Competition | Club | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Segunda División | Deportivo La Coruña | 2011–12 |
| Segunda División | Deportivo La Coruña | 2013–14 (Promotion) |
Individual Milestones
While individual awards are less common for defensive full-backs, Laure's longevity and consistent performance at a high level are achievements in themselves. His more than 200 appearances for Deportivo La Coruña across various competitions stand as a testament to his dedication and importance to the club during a significant period in its history. These milestones reflect a career built on reliability and commitment rather than flashy statistics.
International career
Despite a long and distinguished club career in Spanish football, Laure has not featured for the senior Spanish national team. The highly competitive nature of the right-back position within the Spanish setup, which has seen world-class talents like Dani Carvajal and Juanfran Torres emerge, meant that opportunities at the highest international level were limited.
Youth and Regional Appearances
While Laure did not earn senior caps for Spain, he may have represented his region or played at various youth levels, which is common for players developing through prominent Spanish academies. However, specific details regarding youth international appearances are not widely documented for all players.
Role for Country
Even without senior international caps, Laure's career demonstrates the depth of talent within Spanish football. His consistent performances in La Liga and the Segunda División highlight his quality as a professional, contributing to the overall strength and reputation of Spanish football at the domestic level. Many talented players contribute significantly to their clubs without breaking into a national team that frequently competes for major international honors like the FIFA World Cup or UEFA European Championship [FIFA].
What makes Laure stand out
Laure stands out primarily for his unwavering defensive consistency and tactical discipline. In an era where full-backs are increasingly expected to be attacking outlets, Laure has maintained a focus on his core defensive responsibilities, making him a reliable and often understated asset for his teams. His ability to read the game and make crucial interceptions or tackles without resorting to rash challenges is a hallmark of his play.
Another distinguishing trait is his longevity and adaptability across different divisions of Spanish football. From his early days at Leganés to his decade at Deportivo La Coruña, and subsequent moves to Alcorcón and Racing de Ferrol, Laure has consistently performed at a high standard, adapting to new teammates and tactical systems. This enduring professionalism has allowed him to sustain a career spanning over 15 years in competitive leagues.
"Laure is the kind of player every coach appreciates: reliable, disciplined, and always gives his all for the team. He's a true professional."